Second-Grade Ape (Hello Reader)

When a boy named Flash Fleetwood finds a stray gorilla, he places a lost-and-found ad in the paper, and when no one responds, he is allowed to keep the pet and bring it to show-and-tell, as long as it has a bath first. Original.

Grade 1-3-Freddie "Flash" Fleetwood has found a cat-a very large cat. He takes it home to his parents, who explain that the animal is actually a gorilla. They agree to keep him as a pet if no one else claims him. The boy introduces Phil to his best friend, "Bullets" Birkenstock, and to his dog, Rolf. Finally, Flash takes Phil to school where, after some initial excitement, he becomes a member of their second grade class. Although the repetitive text will help readers become familiar with the vocabulary, some of it is awkward: "Nobody but Bullets Birkenstock called Freddie Fleetwood "Flash" Fleetwood. Nobody else called him that." Certain jokes are predictable (Rolf can say his name, "Rolf! Rolf!"), and there are some odd details thrown in, such as Mr. Fleetwood punishing his chickens by having them stand in a corner. Overall, though, it's all very amusing. Jill Pinkwater's animated, full-color illustrations add life to the story. A slightly offbeat beginner reader that will appeal to children who are tired of more straightforward, predictable books.
Dina Sherman, Brooklyn Children's Museum, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 2^-3. The author's signature witty blend of fantasy and reality is nicely tailored to young readers in this entry in the Hello Reader! series. Thinking that the gorilla hiding in the bushes is a cat, Flash Fleetwood (appropriately named) takes it home, where he learns the truth. But the truth doesn't seem to matter much, and it isn't long before Phil the gorilla becomes an accepted part of the Fleetwood household, with comical results. The final scene, when Flash takes Phil to Miss Hotdogbun's class at school, is particularly funny. Lots of dialogue makes the abundant narrative seem less intimidating; the many illustrations also help by providing the reader with some nice reading breaks. Stephanie Zvirin